Pages

November 16, 2014

Last spring, in the middle of April to be precise, as winter was just finally starting to pack its bags up once and for all (we had snow well into the month), my dear friend, German blogger, and fellow vintage loving lady, Beate, very thoughtfully bestowed the Sunshine blog award onto Chronically Vintage (she herself received it from Natalia over at In The Writer's Closet).

Unlike some of the blog awards I've very kindly been presented with over the years, if memory serves me right, this is the first time I've received the Sunshine Blogger Award. Thus, I've been eager since that mid-April day to post about it, as I do rather enjoy the fun set of random facts about oneself that this award, like many of its peers, gives the recipient a chance to share about themselves.

After five and a half years of avid blogging and numerous similar posts throughout that time (including receiving the Very Inspiring Blogger Award again this year, which I posted about in August), I won't lie, it can be tricky to come up with a brand new assortment of facts and tidbits of information that at least some of my readers don't already know about me.

Ultimately, I don't think that one needs to pull skeletons out of the deepest reaches of closet or reveal anything that don't feel completely comfortable doing in public for the sake of a blog post of this nature, nor do you have to write down only facts that are complete and total secrets. As such, I've tried to find a nice blend amongst the following ten entries of things you may have heard me mention in passing before and others that (best I can recall) should be fresh, never before shared snippets of info about yours truly.

1. I don't drive. Despite a genuine desire to do so, between certain symptoms of some of my conditions (which can be very distracting), the side effects of various meds, almost always present brain fog, and around the clock severe chronic pain, I feel it is far safer for me not to be behind the wheel and I haven't had a license since I was nineteen years old (which then, was only a learner's permit).

If I walk into walls, fall down stairs, suddenly forget what I was doing, and am often so tired and/or in pain I literally cannot move while just on my own two feet, I truly feel its best that I'm not on the road potentially putting my own life, my passengers lives or those of other drivers or pedestrians at risk and instead have resigned myself to being a passenger. This is something that, believe it or not, I had a really hard time sharing publicly for most of my adult life and feel is the most private thing about myself that I'm revealing here today.

2. That said, if I could safely drive, I think I'd be out on the road every day and my dream car would a pink 1957 Chevy. They've had a major sweet spot in my heart ever since I was just five years old and I can distinctly remember seeing one zoom past for the first time.

3. I've lived in two countries (Canada and Ireland), three Canadian provinces, and around a dozen different cities, towns, and communities throughout my 30 years on this planet. I wouldn't say I love moving, but I have got it down to a pretty exact science at this point and can pack up a whole two or three floor house, or good sized apartment, in just a couple of weeks if I truly have to (ideally though, I do like to work at a more leisurely pace when moving abodes).

4. Ugh!!! Due, I believe, to a combination of certain medications I'm taking and the sheer act of getting older, for several months now, since about last New Year, actually, I've been noticing my face looking progressively wider. I haven't gained weight (like most of us, my weight fluctuates a touch over the course of a year, but has been within the same five or so pound range for a few years now) and yet I see my face looking less streamlined, so to speak than it was in my mid to late twenties. I can't do a thing about aging and absolutely must take these meds, so for now I just have to contend with my already anything-but-chiseled facial features looking even less so. *Sigh*

5. Though it sounds like something that might be fake, it is indeed bracingly real, and I happen to have telephonophobia, which is generally defined as a reluctance or fear of placing and/or receiving phone calls. Though it's not a story I'm comfortable sharing publically, I know precisely what events triggered this in me as a youngster (coupled with my fear of confrontation and also my immense shyness), and while I can talk on the phone if I truly have (and should note, I don't usually have an issue doing so with my very nearest and dearest friends and family members), I loathe it and feel anxious even just hearing a telephone ring. As such, the advent of the internet (and also text messaging) as a means of communication was all the more welcome by yours truly.

6. I am a very genuine and appreciative person. Sometimes throughout my life, when I've been expressing my heartfelt thanks, I know that people have thought I was being insincere because of how much I was gushing or using an abundance of flowery, complimentary adjectives, but nothing could be further from the truth. I take note of every kindness, thoughtful act, compliment, and sweet thing that comes my way and am incredibly grateful for each of them.

7. While there are scads of desserts and sugary snacks that I enjoy the taste of, I have always had a much bigger "salty tooth" than a sweet one. With some of my favourite savoury treats - that I can currently safely eat - being cheezies/cheese puffs (especially Cheetos, which, yes, are as processed and jam packed with chemical ingredients as the day is long and as such I only eat once in a blue moon), kettle chips, pepperoni, salted almonds, olives, crackers with cream cheese, and GF nuts and bolts (which, if I may say so myself, I make a fabulous version of).

8. My vintage glove collection, which longtime readers may recall from this post two years ago about how I store my beloved gloves, now totals over one hundred pairs. Because I have so many, I wouldn't say I buy them as frequently any more, but I still add a few to the ranks every year and am always on the prowl for styles and colours, as well as really unique varieties, that I don't already own.

9. Located in Abbotsford, British Columbia, my first elementary school was in a residential area but was hugged on one side by a patch of wooded area that just happened to be inhabited by a number of bears. As such, my school had a special bear alarm, which, if sounded, meant that all students instantly had to gather on a paved area at the front of the school, where we would be guided back inside by several staff members. It didn't go off to frequently, but there was always a distinct adrenaline rush when it did and to this day, I associate the sound of school bells with the idea that a bear might suddenly appear!

10. The older I get, the more I find myself loving and wanting to wear early 60s fashions, in no small part because many of them have a powerfully ingrained sense of sophistication which suits a woman very well as she ages. Interestingly, my sweet husband predicted that I might gravitate towards such styles several years ago. Way to go, honey! I doubt I'll be filling my closet with early 60s pieces anytime soon, but I do foresee buying a new one every now and then and styling them in a very early Mad Men-esque way.

{To learn more about a specific image, please click on it to be taken to its respective source.}

♥ ♥ ♥

Like most blog awards, this one follows a fairly set pattern of what is entailed if you'd like to take part.

-Use a the graphics above, or one/those of your choosing, to denote that you've received the award.

-Nominate ten of your fellow bloggers "who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere" (and optionally let them know that you've tapped them for this award).

To that end, I'd love to present this award to the following group of talented, stylish, inspiring, and always lovely ladies, each of whose blog posts are a welcome ray of sunshine in my feedreader every week.

If you opt to play along with this 100% just for fun blog award (no worries if you don't, I know that such things are not a firm favourite with everyone by any means), please don't hesitate to leave a comment on this post with a link back to yours so that I be sure to enjoy reading your engaging random facts and perhaps discovering new blogs amongst those that you yourself pass the Sunshine Award on to.

♥ ♥ ♥

Thank you very much, dear Beate, for thinking of me and my blog and sending this delightful award our way. Its warmth and upbeat spirit are exactly what I need as we brace ourselves to head into the chilliest season of the year again!

69 comments:

What a lovely post Jessica, I have read it with pleasure and I also want to thank you for sharing a couple of things that were so private to you. I could relate to them very well: I don't drive either and the reason for that was also medication.

Besides that I also have a severe anxiety for telephoning and it's usually my partner who makes the phonecalls to companies for me. I stutter and don't hear the person on the other side whilst being on the telephone due to anxiety. I completely shut down. Sadly there's a change of law in my country since recently, and it's that the partner can not just be the contact person anymore without my consent. So it appears that I have to do something about my anxiety for making phonecalls. I have been ashamed of it, but then I think: some have a fear for spiders, or sharks, or whatever and my fear is telephoning.

Hello my very dear friend, thank you from the bottom of my heart for speaking so candidly and sharing about some of your own struggles on these same fronts with me. I too, anytime I possibly can, like to try and have Tony place or answer phone calls for me. He's very sweet and understanding on this front and usually will, but on those times when I must do so myself, I too often stutter (a throw back to my childhood when I stuttered a lot, especially in stressful or anxiety inducing situations - which I still do sometimes to this day in person, as well) and will sometimes take days to work up the courage to place even the most seemingly mundane of phone calls. One thing, the only thing actually, that I've found to be helpful so far for me on that front is to write down either exactly what I hope to say (this works best if leaving a message or just speaking very briefly with someone, such as the receptionist at a doctor's office) or a list of points/key phrases I hope to convey during the call. I get less flustered and afraid when I have those to hand to rely on in case - as it so often does - my mind goes pretty much blank from fear once I start talking.

I'm truly sorry that they're changing the law on that front in your country. Goodness, what a shame for those like us and others who may for whatever reason need to have someone place and/or receive telephone calls on their behalf. Sometimes, I swear, lawmakers fail to look at all the different types of people in society who will stand to be effected by their decisions and to take those who won't gain anything positive from their changes into account.

Dearest Jessica. What a gorgeous and honest post. I believe most of us have our 'issues,, which we always keep well wrapped. It's always so refreshing to read that we are not alone in being 'just normal'. And as far as early 1960s fashion is concerned, I myself found myself increasingly drifting into that vintage bracket, as some 40s and 50s looks can be aging over the age of 30.....obviously not all of them, but I noticed that some 1950s prints can add a few years now that I am about to hit 40. Sleek, monochrome early 60s and Beatnik fashions do quite the opposite on me, which is why I increasingly search for those.

Thank you deeply, dear Sascha. That is so very true. No one is without their own set of issues, be they merely self-perceived or more genuine and apparent (or well hidden, but also well know to the individual). There are some things I highly doubt I'll ever reveal or fully reveal about myself and my life in public, but I do like to try and bare my soul and inner workings, so to speak, sometimes as I find it both cathartic/helpful and an important way to connect with my readers, who even if they don't share any of these points, no doubt have their own little known facts that they rarely (if ever) discuss online (and/or off).

How fabulous that you're feeling a pull toward the looks of early 1960s these days as well. It really was a glamorous and beautiful period for fashion - borrowing some of the best elements of the mid to late 50s and swirling them with the exciting new energy, colours and cuts of the 60s. One of these days I'll have to do an outfit shoot with a more early 60s inspired look to my ensemble. I have a spring/summer perfect wiggle dress from that era which is likely what I'll turn to for it.

Many thanks again for your wonderfully lovely comment - have a gorgeous Sunday,♥ Jessica

Not being a long-time reader I've learned a lot about you reading this post... and I had no idea you were living with a condition that affects your life this severely. My heart truly goes out to you - I can't imagine what it must be like to take that much medication and it truly makes me thankful for the relatively good health I enjoy. Although I can drive, I was a later learner and it's only been this year that I've ever had access to a car and driving makes me incredibly nervous - your words make me realise I should really try harder to embrace it. I do feel that telephonophobia resonates with me though - I feel very similarly about placing or taking calls and equally feel that the internet has transformed my life as a powerful communication tool. I actually don't know where I'd be without it! I know I wouldn't have my partner if I'd had to phone him to arrange dates rather than email / text! I can tell you are genuinely a warm and appreciative person though - whenever you've paid me compliments I can feel that you mean them, which is not something I could say about everyone who does so. You seem to me to be a very special person indeed and I've loved learning more about you - and I agree with the first commenter who said that 60s fashion will suit you amazingly, I look forward to seeing it! CC x

Thank you deeply, sweet CiCi. Even if you had been a long time reader, you might not know as much, as I intentionally try to keep the focus on vintage and life's good points far more than on the less glamorous side of my life, which is the daily reality of living with more than a dozen different chronic illnesses. From time-to-time, I'll mention one (or more) by name or talk in general, as I've done here about my health, but again, it has never been what I wanted this blog's focus to be about. It's (my blog) is my happy respite from that ever-present, hugely consuming part of my life.

Congratulations on learning to drive. Way to go, dear gal!!! I've certainly learned over the years that while, yes, many people eagerly get their driver's licenses as soon as humanly possible, for a plethora of different reasons, others may not do so until their 20s, 30s, 40s or beyond, or never. It's a bit of a sad misconception to me that everyone drives and sadder still is how adults who don't are sometimes viewed or treated.

Your comment is immensely sweet, touching and kind, honey, thank you again. Please know that I'm always here 24/7 if you ever need someone to talk to about any of these highly personal topics or anything else. Us vintage loving telephonophics have to stick together! :)

I go through periods of being phone-phobic. And I do drive but I have many things I avoid like driving at night and I only park in drive-through spots as I am lousy at backing out. I didn't get my license until I was 24.

I'm sorry that you go through times where phonephobia is a very real part of your world as well, dear Dawn. I've never seen any stats on how many people are affected by that all, or some, of the time, but I'd be incredibly curious to know what percentage of the population deal with this as well.

I am so glad it isn't just me! I get the most awful anxiety when having to use the phone, it sometimes takes me three days to pluck up enough courage to make a doctor's appointment. Earlier this year my Very High Up Boss thought I was being awkward when she picked me out of a group of colleagues to make phone calls. I stuttered out that I couldn't, as I just don't "do" telephones. Luckily I have wonderful colleagues and another volunteered and as she was going, told me to go and get a cup of tea and calm my anxiety. Apparently all the colour drained out of my face!!! Texting and emails, blogs, social media are all some of the best inventions ever for me.

Oh sweet dear, I'm truly sorry that you had to experience an anxiety inducing moment like that. I've been there myself, too, including at my last 9-5 job working for someone else (which my health forced me to leave when I was 19 years old), where I was forced to do cold calling in the scope of my larger work responsibilities at a printing shop. No joke, I have reoccurring nightmares to this day about those horrible experiences.

Hear, hear!!! I so love what emails, texts, blogs and technology have done to help make easier and less anxiety prone for those like us (and of course many others for countless reasons, too).

you are very welcome my friend!:-)very interesting facts. love that with the bear at school - it´s a bit of a canada cliche - is´t it? i don´t drive too (for different reasons) and telephones frightened me until my 20´s....the prim and elegant style of early 60´s is such a good look on a woman of "certain age" - in comparison to our beloved 40´s which sometimes are to girly or frumpy - at least on me ;-)<3<3<3

Ohhh, it so is - and I can't help but love it for that reason. I've always sort of adored cuter stereotypes about Canada (some of which are certainly truer than others, and bears being a very real threat in many areas being one that is totally true).

Thank you again for tapping me for this fun award, sweet Beate. I really appreciate it!

I'm in my 30s and am slowly getting over my telephonephobia. I answer the phones for work, but I don't like answering the house phone. There are only two people who call my cellphone. LOL So I feel the pain!

Well I think you look lovely and notice no difference in your face at all! I know it can be a bit tough to see the effect of the years on our faces, I definitel ysee a lot of new wrinkles on mine, some sagging, and brown spots that really annoy me because I ALWAYS wear sun screen. However, Im soon to be 37 so I have to accept it and then I remember, as Im sure you do, how lucky I am to be getting older! I really admire your bravery in the face of your illness and other challenges and I think all of that has made you even more beautiful. It gives your face character and personality.

Thank you very much, dear Kate, that's extremely kind of you to say. I love how many people are sharing with me that they don't/can't drive or took to it later than the average age. I'm with you on the sunscreen. It's a must for me as well! (Especially because I burn faster than a piece of toast in the summer months.) I don't mind looking older, honestly, I just don't like the roundness to my face, which has never been chiseled or all that slender looking, IMO, to begin with. Oh well!!! There are ultimately much more important things in life to worry about and focus on.

I do not drive either. It freaks me out too much and I have difficulty judging distances and spaces so I never learned. So I have learned to bike longer distances and that's how I get to work. The upside of not driving means I'm never in a car alone so I feel better about my carbon foot print.

I've noticed a lot of bloggers deciding to dress more 1960s lately so you'll be in good company! I've found myself drawn in the other direction towards the 1930s. It's always fun to try new things and I think you'll look smashing in 60s attire. :)

Thank you sweetly, dear Stephanie. I don't think I'll be trading in my 40s and 50s garb for a solely (early) 60s wardrobe anytime soon, but I do find more and more pieces from that era speaking to me, so as I get older, I suspect I'll be turning to them more often. Hmmm, now to find a genuine 50s/60s Chanel tweed suit at a thrift store and I'll be set! :)

Thank you very much for sharing with me that you don't drive as well. Biking is out for me for medical reasons, too (sadly - I loved it dearly back in the day), otherwise I would be rocking a cute vintage or vintage-y looking pair of wheels myself, too. It's great that you're able to bike to work. That's an excellent point which I hadn't really considered about my situation (re: not leaving a carbon footprint). Thank you for sharing it - any little bit to help out our ailing planet is a marvelous thing in my books.

I can't drive either. Eep! Mine stems from a fear of freeways, but I'm slowly getting over it, and hope to have my permit before the year ends. So, lets cross our fingers. And I believe early 60's will look amazing on you, yet, all your styles look great on you, Jessica! But if you find that Green doubleknit in that photo, I might just fly to Canada to fawn over you.

Thank you very much, sweet Carla. I truly wish you the utmost of success if you opt to try your hand at getting your license. Aww, if I found one and you were nearby, I would lend it to you in a heartbeat. I so wish I had a vintage loving friend nearby to swap and shop closets with.

I have the same phobia of the phone! No one takes it seriously, but whenever the phone begins to ring my stomach just drops and I can spend my whole day worrying about a call I have to make. I've gotten myself so worked up about the telephone to the point of feeling physically sick before now, and I always have to write myself a little script of what to say, and even then my nerves will make me rush through it at such lightening speed that the other person hasn't a clue what I said!

It must have been quite frightening for you as a child, but the idea of a bear alarm to me sounds like the most exciting thing!

Sweet Faye, thank you very much for sharing with me that you're afflicted by this same phobia/anxiety. Believe me, with every fiber of my being, I understand what you mean and have been in the same boat more times than I can count. Thankfully my husband really takes my phone issues seriously, but few others I've known over the years have and it can be very painful to have someone judge you for something that, objectively, is no different than many other social anxiety based fears.

It was! I actually got a thrill when it would ring. I can just imagine how much it must have scared the pants off my parents though!

Another wonderful post, Jessica. I'd no idea you did not drive. I nearly gave up my license about 15 years ago before I was finally diagnosed with the illness that left me dozing off in the car—terrifying. Like you, I had no interest in harming others or myself, but thank God, right now my medications keep me perky (granted, with the once-daily addition of coffee!).

Also, you are right to share only what you feel comfortable sharing. That's normal, I think, and really, a little mystery never hurts any of us. ;)

We also share a dislike for the phone. There are no traumas in my past related to this, and indeed, I spent several years as a receptionist and then executive assistant, but unless I am expecting a call or it is my husband or grandparents, I never, ever pick up the phone when it rings and let it go to voice mail. :/ Many people do not understand or like this, and of course I have sympathy for their response, but this is just the way I am—preferring to answer via email, text, or IM! In my case it is probably not an actual phobia, though. Obviously, or I'd have made an awful receptionist (strangely, my bosses always received many compliments on the "cheerful voice answering the phone"—maybe I was overcompensating for my dislike of the machine, though I of course wanted our clients to be happy)!

It is interesting that you find yourself moving toward the 60s. I've a little harder time with that era mentally, for some reason, though as I age circle skirts and such will definitely have to become part of my sartorial past (and I have a few 60s cocktail dresses, including a rather smashing one with a sheer chiffon cape that earned me a lot of compliments!). For me, classic shirtdresses retain their appeal, just with a more sedate fullness; taking my cues from the older ladies at my church, I'm watching for A-line skirt suits and more of a clean, simple 1940s look, which has always been a favourite of mine. Done correctly I think it will work. It probably depends upon one's likes/dislikes and the items chosen. I would love to see your 60s looks, Jessica!

Enjoy the remainder of your Sunday! Have you had any snow? We're supposedly going to get 4-6" tonight, but I'll believe it when I see it. (Ben, on the other hand, is thoroughly excited over the prospect, and glad that his big furry coat makes sense for the season again.)

Hello dear Jen, thank you very much for your in-depth, caring, wonderfully nice comment. I'm sorry that you were unable to drive for many years as well. Even if I wasn't on a single med, I still wouldn't drive because for the reasons touched in this post (severe brain fog, the physical act of it is very painful for me, perpetual sleepiness, etc). Three huge cheers that you're able to drive now. I'm really happy for you. If I could (drive), I would in the quickest of seconds. I've always been a free spirit who loves to travel and find new adventures, so driving really appeals to me. One possible workaround that's being created right now are self-driving cars and if they reach the stage of being a safe reality, that might be a way for me to finally be able to drive someday.

For me, it's only styles from the very beginning (pre-1965) of the sixties that are calling my name. Those that marry the elegance of the late 50s with the youthful fun and (often) vibrant hues of the 60s. Much more Grace Kelly and Jackie O. than Mama Cass, Twiggy, or Janis Joplin. :)

We haven't had snow yet, but it's been cold enough to do so anytime it pleased all month long and I suspect that we're be getting some any day now.

Thank you again deeply for your excellent, understanding comment. I wholeheartedly appreciate it.

What a wonderful award! You are truly a ray of sunshine in the blogesphere!

What a great array of facts about you! I fully approve of your dream car choice. Your fear of phones is quite interesting and has quite the name! I find fear names really interesting. And I totally believe you when you say that you are a genuine thankful and appreciative person! Your comments and letters (this reminds me that I need to write back to you) have been a complete delight over the years and always wonderful and heartfelt! The bear alarm is my favorite fact I think in this list! I recently saw someone posted a photo of a package slip - the kind that say why a package was not delivered - and it was for a Canadian package service and it had the "Other" box checked with "bear at the door" as the reason.

What a fab list of bloggers! I love this sort of awards because they continue to harbor goodwill towards fellow bloggers and often introduce us to other blogs! Many of these are new to me!

Aww, dear Janey, you have no idea how much being called "a ray of sunshine in the blogesphere" means to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I know that will cheer me up time and time again when I reflect on it.

So true. Phobia names are really interesting. I've always been interested in the science, psychology and nature of fears and what lies behind them. I'm not afraid of a ton of things, but two others are tarantulas (and other large spiders - the little ones don't phase me now, but they did as a child) and burning to death (a close relative has that one, too, so it's almost a given that I picked it up from them).

Oh my gosh, that is too funny (though perhaps not for the deliver person!) about the bear. I could genuinely see that as being true here in Canada. Unbelievably, Tony has been in Canada for 8.5 years now and yet has never seen a bear in the wild (which beats being attacked by one of course, but it's high time he saw one on the side of the road!). I've seen plenty (while being a vehicle passenger) over the years myself and they really are incredibly majestic, beautiful creatures (with claws so big and long you can see them yards away!).

Angel handles all phone calls for me because I dislike the phone very heartily. I imagine it's not quite the same thing, but I avoid phone calls whenever possible...and it usually is possible. I'll write dozens of emails if it gets me out of a phone call!And it sounds like you made a good decision about not driving! I don't enjoy driving, but I'm so, so grateful for the freedom it gives me. I might be a little rusty next time I'm behind the wheel, though, as I don't expect we'll be owning a car for a few years because of living in ShenZhen.

Jessica, I love this post. What you say about yourself is so interesting. We're eager to learn it. I applaud your candor in opening up to us. Many of the things you describe are unchangeable (like the physical effects of aging) so we just have to learn to accept them. I share your fear of the telephone which makes my job very hard. I don't have a secretary and dread having to receive or make calls. When possible, I use fax or e-mail to avoid telephone conversations. The early '60s are a great period -- beautiful, feminine style. I'd wear that any day. (P.S., I thought of you today when I posted about seamed stockings.)

Thank you very much, my friend. I'm sorry that you're afflicted by a powerfully rooted aversion to phone calls as well. This post is really showing me that I'm not alone there at all (I knew I wasn't, but had no idea that so many people in my own online circle were in the same telephone-less boat with me), which is genuinely comforting.

Very interesting to read Jessica :) You should photograph your gloves collection! Would be great to see it! Sometimes it's great to be just passenger. I have a licence but I don;t drive. I find it very difficult to drive here in Australia on the other side of the road!

I LOVE the bear alarm story. What a wonderful thing. Did you have bear alarm drills? At the school where I was teaching (and am technically still employed, just on leave) I thought it was quite entertaining that we had both bushfire evacuation drills and snow evacuation drills, but that just comes with this part of the world!

I also appreciated your sharing your feelings about the telephone. I'm another who has a high level of anxiety about it. I do find that mine is up and down, and I can make calls eventually, but I need a lot of time to work myself up to it and it has been problematic when I've put off, or completely failed to make, calls that really are important. I don't know where my issues with phones came from, I think they just fall in with general social anxiety rather than specific incidents. I had a bit of a battle making my business cards, because everyone expects a phone number on them, and I just had to go with my gut and heart on it - I don't want anyone to call me, so no number!! These internet times are certainly a relief for me too.

You know, thinking about it now, we did. Not many, maybe one or two a year (one being at the start of the school year, which makes a lot of sense), but we did indeed have bear alarm drills. Wow, I haven't thought about those in twenty years now. That is really interesting about having both bushfire (forest fire drills sometimes happen in especially wooded areas of BC, too) and snow evacuation drills. You've piqued my curiosity there? What would constitute the need for a snow evacuation? We get so much snow here in Canada, yet I haven't heard of that one happening here (and indeed, in all my school years, I can only recall two snow days, when the weather was so bad that the schools were closed in my town because of it).

I swear, I fought the same battle with my business cards, too, and it wasn't until I launched my Etsy shop and needed new cards produced for them that I finally took the plunge and added my number. Thankfully I don't work in a field (vintage blogging and online selling) where I get a lot of calls, but I have noticed a small increase since I began handing out my current cards. Thankfully most of them have led to very good things (like buying appointments), so that helps a tiny bit in terms of making peace with giving my number out to tons of strangers.

Our problem with snow is that it happens so rarely that we are terrible at dealing with it! The reason we have to evacuate is that the highway will often be closed if there is much snow or ice, and even if not, the bus companies sometimes refuse to send the buses in the snow once it is too heavy. It does strike me as odd, when I remember my childhood in the UK and USA, and walking to school in my snow boots, but that's just how we cope here! The snow, however, never lasts more than a day, so it isn't too much of a problem.

I'm glad that your bravery in putting your number on your cards is paying off for you. I will keep it in mind when I next consider the issue.

Ahhh, I see. Tony says that the same rings true in all but the most northerly parts of Italy as well. In fact, to this day he gets the most awesome sense of wide-eyed wonder and happiness to him when we get a big, proper snowfall here - which, excitingly, we just got our first of last night and it's quite the dozy! All the world outside our door looks very much like a Christmas card scene right now and we're both in high spirits because of it.

If I didn't have an Etsy shop (and wasn't doing something similar), I probably never would have put my phone number on my cards, but I felt it was a must in my field now, so I took the plunge and went for it. There's absolutely no right or wrong there, just what you're comfortable with doing, dear gal.

congratulations on your sunshine award, Jessica!! i did enjoy reading this post. i think i'll have to chime in with you and Lindsay Lane with my fear of answering/taking phone calls. this is the same for me, even if it is a close friend or family member. ugh, i just don't want to talk on the phone. of course, usually if i do answer, i'm eventually happy that i did, but i just don't like talking on the phone!i, too have found myself gravitating towards more of a 1960s style fashion. i think mostly due to the ease of many of the simple shirtwaist dresses and the fact that they're sort of more modern and don't attract as much attention, something i'm usually always game for :D.have a wonderful day, and thank you for sharing!

Truly, TRULY, thank you for sharing the telephone thing. My family has always made fun of my "telephone issue" as they so lovingly refer to it. For being so typically supportive you'd think that by now they'd realise that it's not something for which I can just flip a switch and "get over". :/

Oh my goodness, sweet dear, I'm truly sorry that your family has been unkind to you about such a serious and real fear/anxiety. Please feel free to share this post and/or the Wikipedia page about it with them to highlight that you are by no means the only person out there who feels this way and that it is a 100% legitimate issue for many. Please know that you're not alone and that you have my total understanding.

Jessica,As I have told you countless times, you are (but FAR!) the stringes, toughest and bravest person I know. To be able to share such a load with others, to stand up and say such things, such deepely personal things is magnificent.

Now, now.. You're not a driver, eather? :) I do have my driver's licence for 10 years now, but I don't drive. I know I'm horrible at it - and better be safe than sorry. I prefer walking (and cycling!). Driving is too fast for my eyes to follow.I can't see nothing wrong with your face, darling. I've seen puffy faces, I've seen swollen faces.. and they were all my faces. :) ..and I make faces while I do my phone-calls. I don't like them much.. it's so inpersonal. I prefer texting; but I mostly like: letters and emails. I best convey my words in a written statement.

I don't think that's cliche in the slightest, sweet dear. I too adore reading posts like this on the blogs I follow. Even if none of the facts the author shares about themselves relates to my own life (which is rarely, usually we'll have at least one point in common), I still feel like I've grown closer to that person simply through their candidness.

Oh, if only we lived nearby and could take strolls together. I miss the days of childhood sometimes, when one walked (rode their bike) to and fro with friends nearly every day. There's a lot to be said for mankind's original form of transportation: one's feet!

How interesting. I don't drive either but that's down to plain just not wanting to.

Number six puts me in mind of me every Christmas. I am always the last opening gifts as I open them carefully and take time appreciating each one as I open it and thank the person or get over excited about it and usually have an audience of others who whipped through the opening of their gifts!

A bear alarm, wow! Our school was thrown into chaos if a dog strayed into the playground, hehe! They were the exciting days!

Ahh what a fun reward and thank you for nominating me. I will 100% post something in the coming few weeks :) As for your shares thank you for being so candid on topics that might be hard to talk about, I respect your openness. I also respect your love of the Cheetos! MMMMMM...gosh I could eat a bag in one sitting if I had the chance lol! ohhh now I want some....

Have a wonderful day Jessica! And BTW I have always thought your genuine appreciation as an amazing quality of you. I love getting such wonderful replies from you. You have turned some bad days into great days with just a few kind words. thank you :)

You're very welcome, dear Liz. I really look forward to seeing your post and am touched that you want to continue spreading this fun award around the web.

That means a tremendous amount to me, thank you deeply. I find that with each passing year, as society shifts more online and (sadly) good manners and proper social etiquette in general slide into decline for many, I encounter that perception of my sincerity more and more often, so it truly warm my heart to know that you fully understand I'm always being genuine when expressing my gratitude and/or in other things that I say/write.

I relate so much to some of these. I wouldn't say I'm quite phobic about talking on the phone, but I avoid it whenever possible. It just always feels so awkward to try and have a meaningful conversation over the phone - am I talking too much? Too little? Did my joke translate without being able to see my face? Does the person on the other end hate me? How about now? It's just too fraught.Your vintage gloves are amazing! I've started trying some on when I come across them in vintage stores, but my big hands just don't cooperate when it comes to fitting in them. Some day, maybe...

I think you hit the nail on the head big time with at least a part of the reason why phone calls make some folks so uneasy/anxious/scared/worried: you can't see the other person's face and sense how they're responding to what you're saying based on visual clues. Sure, tone of voice can convey that, too, but not always to the same degree and without it, some of us are in a constant state of worry that we'll upset/offend/anger/etc the party on the other line.

Thank you sweetly! Tell me, dear gal, what size (vintage) glove to you wear? I routinely find vintage gloves around these parts, most of which now land in the shop, and have sourced some as big as size 8.5 so far. I'd be more than happy to let you know when I find some in your size, whatever it is, and contact you before I list them (any styles, colours, lengths, etc that you're hunting for in particular?).

Wonderful post! Having to write these sorts of posts usually sets off a wave of anxiety, but you did a great job sharing what is important to you and the lighter things, too. :)Also: now I want some Cheetos really bad.

Oh gosh, that they do indeed, sweet gal, you're spot on there. I've found this level has gone down a touch over the years for me and I'm really grateful for that fact, but I can all but promise it will always be there to a degree when I share things that are quite personal publicly.

I'm so craving them since writing it, too. Perhaps I'll put some out for our family's annual New Year's Eve party. :)

Jessica,This was a wonderful post. I loved the part about the bear alarm Wow! I learned so much reading about you. I know several people who have difficulty using the phone but I never knew that it was a phobia and from reading the comments it sounds like a lot if people suffer from this condition. I have a much better understanding and respect for them. I would love to ride in a pink Chevy in a sixties dress, hat and gloves with you. I can see it now, of course I would have to change my name to something cool like Thelma or Louise. You are definitely a ray of sunshine and well deserved of this award. HugsKelly

What a fun picture you paint, Kelly, that would be a blast! Though I do hope our drive would conclude on a much more positive note than Thelma and Louise's. :D My name isn't overly mid-century sounding (80s/early 90s, you bet, 50s, not so much) either, so perhaps I could change it for our trip to something like Millie, Doris, Sandy or Tammy instead.

I'm genuinely happy to know that my post has helped get a dialog going about folks who share my feelings about phone calls or know someone who does. I was aware I wasn't alone on that front at all, but would not have guessed that so many in my own lovely online circle would be touched by it in one way or another, too. It took a lot for me to share that fact about myself in this post, but I'm really glad that I did, as I now feel less alone and hope some of my readers in similar situations also know they're not dealing with this by themselves.

This was oodles of fun to read. I knew bears are more common in your neck of the woods than mine, but never would have guessed such actions would have to be made that it became a threat to you and other children. Of course I'm a Yank and think as such.

Growing up I've always been an ardent 40s fanatic and thought if I was to go full on vintage would try to make it as authentic as possible. But as I get older {I turned 25 this past Sunday} that I am drawn not to the 40s as I am the punkish/gothic rockabilly look. I even want a tattoo...I don't think Mom would approve. Haha! I think it is funny how we have expectations for one as you did for the 50s and now lean towards the 60s. :)

Oooh, how cool! Do you have any tattoo themes in mind? I would madly love to get some more ink one day. My only tattoo is a kind of poorly done single word ("poet") in a funky font near the crook of my inner right arm that I got (at a real tattoo parlour, but they did a fairly lousy job, IMO, when I was 17). I've spent tons of time over the years daydreaming about future ink, but have never felt like I could justify the expense. Maybe one day...

I highly doubt I'll ever toss in the towel on my beloved 40s and 50s styles, I'm just having fun playing with very early 60s ones for a subtle change of pace every now and then. I too have felt a goth/rockabilly pull a little more lately. Perhaps the darker months of fall and winter are playing a roll there? Or maybe it's my perpetually eclectic tastes at work. :)

I've noticed your ink in some of the outfit posts you've done and of course I only see it from your pictures, but I think it still looks nice. My ideas for a tat would have to be something Hebraic inspired. Such as Hebrew symbols, maybe a Star of David, and I've always wanted to pay honor to holocaust remembrance since it is a passion of mine. Which if I were to do would go on the inner left forearm as I've seen done by many who have ink out of remembrance.

How immensely meaningful and lovely. I truly hope you're able to get such a tattoo or tattoos one day, my dear friend.

That's very sweet. It's okay. Basic and simply black, though the ink wasn't laid down evenly has been both a bit dull and splotchy from the get go. Still, I remind myself of the profound importance and meaning (not to mention sense of personal freedom) that it brought me when I first got it and still holds to this day. I like to think I'll get it "enhanced" one day, perhaps accompanied by further ink elsewhere on my body. I'll definitely post about it here if that ever happens! :)

You deserved the award, dear. Fun and entertaining reading. You might get a pink Chevy one day and play Driving Miss Daisy. ;) It is wise of you not to drive, and believe me, I have much younger and modern girlfriends who don't have a driving license either. It is OK. Much more fashionable to have a chauffeur (spelling?). I loved your bear bell story. Funny how we sometimes associate something with something else. And cheese puffs! Love them, although I am aware they are not good for me. :( I am not good at phones either. I never remember to call, and if I do I always think I don't have time and will do it later. I don't have any fobia, like you, and take the time and love to talk if some one calls me, but I'm not good at calling myself. Wishing you a lovely day, dear. :)

That's a lovely, silver lining way of looking at things, dear Sanne. What stylish lady doesn't enjoy being chauffeured around town? :) Driving (much like drinking alcohol, something else that I'm not able to do at all), is one of those things that I feel most people are shocked to discover you don't do. Some are kind and understanding about it, others can be downright cruel (I've experienced both sides of the coin many times), and others don't seem to care (outwardly at least) one way or the other. I'll never get why some people are unkind about it. Would they rather I was on the road, fell asleep or passed out from my pain levels behind the wheel, and crashed into them or someone they love? I rather think not! And by the same token, no matter what the reason behind why I don't/can't drive is, it's mine and none of their business. If that same person didn't like wearing jeans, for example, another common 21st century activity, I doubt they'd want to be harassed about it!

Many thanks for your great comment, dear Sanne. I always love hearing from you.

I know what you mean. I don't drink either, because I don't tolerate much alcohol and don't like it. I always have to explain why, I think it is quite reverse. You never explain why you drink. I am always being questioned if I am religious or an alcoholic! HA! Me, an alcoholic! That's funny. But I think it is reverse and strange, and I never question anybody why they don't eat pork, or wear sloppy clothing.

Yes, yes and yes, I too have found myself in the same boat time and time again (especially when I was a bit younger - it seemed almost inconceivable to some people that someone in their late teens or twenties wouldn't/couldn't drink - which says a lot about our society these days!), and sometimes you also encounter those people that won't take no for an answer. They'll keep trying to push drinks on you all night, as if what you said wasn't completely serious and important the first time you said it. When that happens, uncomfortable as it makes me, I'll usually quietly take the person aside and explain a little more about my complex medical situation (including the fact that if they did put alcohol in my system, they'd be calling 9-1-1 in seconds because I'd need immediate medical treatment), but I hate that it has to come to that. No one should ever have to explain why they opt not to eat or drink something. We're all adults and can do as we please on that front for any reason (choice, health, religious beliefs, pregnancy, etc).

Thank you for your understanding, my sweet friend. It's very comforting! Too bad we can't get together and enjoy a booze free holiday bash that we put on.

i like the green 60s dress ... but what drags me away from 60s fashion is the quality wearing of synthetic fabrics. i just remember going to mod parties when i was in my late teens ... these were all turned into quite stinky events after dancing all night ;)

Indeed, polyester is not one of the better man made fabrics ever created on that front at all. My interest in 1960s fashion lies in the styles from the earliest years (pre-1965) of the decade, when the look was still much more in keeping with the late 50s than the psychedelic 60s and thankfully you can find quite garments from those years that hadn't yet been made from the dreaded "p word" fabric. :D

I won't be trading in my 40s and 50s wardrobe anytime soon (and almost certainly never, for that matter). I love it too much and it suits my body type really well, so while I may dip a toe in the early 60s every now and then, my heart will always lie in the 40s and 50s first and foremost. :)

This was such an interesting set of facts and I felt that I learnt lots more about you by reading it. I am very taken by the bear alarm story. I can't imagine how impressive they must look in real life and I can't imagine what it is like to know that you might encounter one. It is very sad to think that people might accuse you of being insincere just because you have good manners and say thank you properly. I stopped buying presents for two of my nieces because I did not once receive an acknowledgment or a thank you. Manners are so important and don't cost anything!

Excellently said, dear Kate, I couldn't agree more. One doesn't have to name their first born after me because I did something kind or thoughtful for them, but a simple, heartfelt thank you is always polite and appreciated. The fact that such is so often overlooked nowadays (and/or that some people feel their entitled to your efforts without acknowledging their appreciation for them) is very worrying indeed. It's sad that etiquette and common courtesy are on the decline so much in the 21st century (not always, of course, thankfully, but certainly more so than even just 20 or 30 years ago).

Oh, I love the bear alarm fact! I didn't know such a thing existed, but it makes perfect sense that they would.

I'm always very touched by how sweet you are in thanking everyone for the comments they leave or for an e-mail. I never find you at all insincere and in a world sorely lacking in good manners, it's rather refreshing to know someone as genuine as you. :)

I am always fascinated by these posts! How different our countries are that you had a warning bell for a bear! Our scariest visitor would be the neighbourhood cat. I'm actually very empathetic on the telephone phobia, I can totally understand how it could be associated with bad news or trauma. I must admit I love a good chat with my parents or my son at college, and can happily talk for up to an hour, but other than this would not miss a telephone. Every day I rush from another part of the house to find a pre recorded sales call on the other end and that alone is a nuisance. You would think with the Internet they might have dropped off (sorry just my pet peeve). Anyway I am delighted that you have the alternative of the Internet for communicating. It certainly is wonderful when used for good :) You've certainly brought sunshine in to my life, sometimes at times when I have desperately needed it.

That's extremely touching and meaningful to know, dear Philippa. Thank you very much - the same rings true on my end as well. From our lovely emails to our back and forth blog comments, it is always a joy to connect with you, bond over shared issues and joys alike, and to discover more that we have in common, such as a general dislike of telephones (like yourself, I can happily chat for hours with my nearest and dearest, but that's about where my "comfort zone" with phones ends).

No need to say sorry - the airing of gripes and pet peeves is always allowed here. :)

What an interesting collection of facts. I was delighted to find another person who doesn't drive. Although I've had my learner's permit for ten years, I still don't have my full license. As I lived in the city for most of my twenties, I used public transport exclusively. Now that I'm back in the country, I would really like to learn to drive. My Nana left her car to me, so I have a vehicle but I can't legally drive it. I'm slowly learning, and I look forward to the freedom that will come with my drivers license. I can totally understand your reasons behind not wanting to drive. I always feel a sense of bonding when I meet another adult who doesn't drive.

One of my best friends has a genuine fear of making and receiving telephone calls. A couple of months back I lost my job, and she phoned me to check in. That's when I knew that I was one of her best friends, because I understood what a big deal it was for her to pick up the phone and call me. It's a very misunderstood fear, but one that seems to be relatively prevalent.

Well said, sweet dear, I couldn't agree more. I think that the large number of people who responded to this post with their own experiences and feelings pertaining to having a fear of talking on the phone really shows that it's a more common fear than is generally known in mainstream society. Hopefully as time goes on more and more people will come to understand what a serious and very real issue it is for some of us.

Thank you very much for your caring, lovely comment. I always adore hearing from you, Vanessa.

Big hugs & happy wishes for the start of the Christmas season,♥ Jessica

Same here!!! I wonder, if such a data could be collected, how much the population would veer on the sweet side and how much on the salty? Based on my personal experience, those like us are the minority, but certainly not a total rarity. I'd guess it's maybe in the range of 20-25% "salty tooth". It would be cool to know!

I'm Jessica, a lifelong lover of all things antique and vintage, especially those from the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

This blog is my visual scrapbook in which I record and share my thoughts on the multitude of sources, people and products that inspire and feed a modern gal's addiction to the past. I also post about the vintage clothes, hairstyles and make-up looks that I adore wearing.

Stay a spell and have a blast as we explore the incomparably fantastic world of vintage history and fashion together.

All images used on this site are credited to their original posters/creators/sources,
however if at any time you would prefer not to see one of your images here, please email me and I'll take it down right away.

PS...I just wanted to say thank you very much for visiting and to tell you that you're equal parts awesome and beautiful.